Apparatuses and methods for automatically extinguishing a flame

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for snuffing a candle or other element in a container. A base fits the container and includes shutter(s) for covering an opening. A shutter operator may include an arm preventing the shutter(s) from covering the opening when the arm is locked, and causing the shutter(s) to cover the opening when the arm unlocked. The shutter operator includes a closer for unlocking the arm, and may include a closing facilitator such as a spring for moving the arm to close the shutters. A timer may time a selectable period. An activation plate may respond to expiration of the period by activating the closer to unlock the arm. The apparatus may include timer marks. A time indicator may move relative to the marks to indicate time remaining and/or expired. The apparatus may include an opener for opening shutter(s) regardless of the selected period and/or without setting an expiration period.

FIELD OF THE INVENTIONS

The inventions relate to the extinguishment of candles, incense, andother burning elements, and in particular, to the automaticextinguishment of candles after a preselected period of time.

BACKGROUND

Candles are often used in the home and elsewhere as part of decoratingto provide a special ambiance and soft glow. Unlike other decorations,lighted candles present a flame and fire hazard to their environment.The dangers from lighted candles are generally eliminated with theirextinguishment. The user, however, must remember to extinguish and tofollow through on extinguishing all of the lighted candles to be rid ofthe danger. Overlooking even one lighted candle can lead to disaster.Besides the fire hazard posed by candles that are left burning, it maybe considered wasteful to burn candles without need.

Putting out a candle can be problematic. Blowing out, pinching, orsnuffing are conventional methods of directly putting out a candle, andthey each have their own problems. Blowing out a candle may require astrong directed breath of air that some people due to health or otherreasons may be incapable of carrying out. Some candles are difficult toblow out even for healthy people. Blowing out a candle may result in anundesirable spray of candle wax and a mess to clean up. Attempts atblowing out a candle may even increase the fire hazard by spreading theflame to nearby flammable objects. Pinching a candle flame can befrightening and lead to burns. Snuffing out a candle requires specialequipment. All of these problems grow in proportion to the number ofcandles to be extinguished. Moreover, the more candles there are, themore likely it is that a candle will be overlooked.

Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus to minimize the dangersposed by lighted candles and to avoid waste by providing a safe,convenient, and easy manner of extinguishing candle flames that willovercome the problems in the prior art. There is a need for an apparatusthat alleviates a user's fear of forgetting or overlookingextinguishment of a candle at the end of its use. The needs also extendto other elements that are like candles like incense, and other burningfuel sources.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONS

Stated generally, the inventions relate to apparatuses and methods forextinguishing a burning source in a holder after a selectable period oftime. For example, the inventions allow a user to schedule safe and easyextinguishment of burning candles. An exemplary embodiment may includeshutters in a frame with the frame being sized to fit the holder so asto substantially block air from entering the holder when the shuttersare substantially closed. A timer may be included for timing aselectable period of time. The timer may include settings for arespective plurality of periods of time. The timer responds to aselection of a setting for a period of time by timing the selectedperiod. In response to the expiration of the selected period, amechanism closes the shutters, thereby causing the extinguishment of theburning source. The mechanism may be used to close the shutters at anypoint, without setting the timer and/or without regard to the expirationof the selected period. The mechanism also may be used to open theshutters if they are closed.

Advantageously, the inventions satisfy the need for an apparatus tominimize the dangers posed by lighted candles and other lighted elementsand to avoid waste by providing a safe, convenient, and easy manner ofextinguishing the flames. The inventions provide an apparatus thatalleviates a user's fear of forgetting or overlooking extinguishment ofa candle or other element.

Another exemplary embodiment of the inventions may be an apparatus forsnuffing a candle in a container after a period. This exemplaryapparatus may include a base covering an open part of the container. Thebase may include at least a shutter for substantially covering anopening in the base. The base also may include a shutter operator forcausing the shutter to substantially cover the base opening. The shutteroperator may include an arm connected to the shutter. The arm preventsthe shutter from covering the base opening when the arm is locked, andthe arm causes the shutter to substantially cover the base opening whenthe arm is unlocked. The shutter operator also may include a closer forunlocking of the arm, thereby causing the shutter to substantially coverthe base opening. Further, the shutter operator may include a closingfacilitator such as a spring to move the arm when it is unlocked tofacilitate substantial closing of the shutter.

The exemplary apparatus also may include a timer for timing a period.The timer may be operative to time the period as a selected period fromone of a plurality of periods. Timer marks may indicate respectively theplurality of periods available for selection. The exemplary apparatusmay include a time indicator for setting the selected period. The timeindicator may be operative to move with respect to the plurality oftimer marks to indicate an amount of time (either expired and/or to go)with respect to the selected period.

The exemplary apparatus may further include an activation plate thatresponds to expiration of the period by activating the closer to unlockthe arm. Thus, in this exemplary apparatus, the timer may be set to timea period upon whose expiration the activation plate activates the closerof the shutter operator to unlock the arm, thereby causing the shutterto substantially cover the base opening and causing the snuffing of thecandle in the container.

Advantageously, the closer of the exemplary apparatus may be operativeto unlock the arm in response to an unlock action other than theactivation by the activation plate. For example, a user may provide anunlock action to close the shutters and thereby extinguish the candlewithout selecting a time period or without regard to any time left forexpiration during a previously selected period.

In addition, the exemplary apparatus may include an opener for openingthe shutter. The opener is operative to open the shutter by moving thearm into a locked position, thereby causing the shutters to at leastpartially uncover the base opening.

The inventions provide another alternative embodiment including anapparatus allowing for selective extinguishment of a burning element ina vessel. This exemplary embodiment includes a housing having anopening, and at least a shutter disposed to close the opening in thehousing. A release is included to cause the shutter to substantiallyclose. Activating the release causes the shutter to substantially closethe opening in the housing, thereby extinguishing the burning of theelement in the vessel.

In this alternative embodiment, the release may include an actuatorconnected to the shutter, and a release pin responsive to activation tocause the actuator to cause the shutter to substantially close. Theactuator may include an actuator arm connected to the shutter and aholder to hold the actuator arm so that the actuator arm causes theshutter to be at least partially open. The actuator arm may be operativeto release itself from the holder in response to the causation of therelease pin, whereby the release of the actuator arm from the holdercauses the actuator arm to cause the shutter to substantially close. Theactual also may include a closing facilitator connected to the housingand to the actuator arm. The closing facilitator may be responsive tothe release of the actuator arm from the holder to facilitate theactuator arm in causing the shutter to substantially close.

This alternative embodiment also may include a timer for timing a periodof time. The release may be responsive to the expiration of the periodof time to cause the shutter to substantially close, whereby setting thetimer for the period of time causes the timer to cause the release afterexpiration of the period of time to cause the shutter to substantiallyclose. Further, this alternative embodiment may include an activationplate responsive to the expiration of the period of time to activate therelease pin to cause the actuator to cause the shutter to close.

The inventions are described herein with reference to the attacheddrawings showing exemplary embodiments of the inventions. Theinventions, however, can be embodied in many different forms and carriedout in a variety of ways, and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth in this description and/or the drawings. Theexemplary embodiments described and shown herein are only some of theways in which to implement the inventions. Each of the elements of theinventions may be differently sized, shaped, and/or otherwise configuredor configured with respect to another element or each other from theembodiments described and shown herein. The elements of the inventionsmay be assembled in an order different in whole or in part from theorder described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment ofthe inventions poised for placement on a container.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side perspective view of the exemplary embodimentof FIG. 1 placed on a container.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment ofthe inventions on a container with the shutters open.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side perspective view of the exemplary embodimentof FIG. 4 with the shutters closed.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side perspective view of the exemplary embodimentof FIG. 4 with the shutters open and with a timer.

FIG. 7 illustrates a side perspective view of the exemplary embodimentof FIG. 4 with the shutters open and with an alternative timer.

FIG. 8 illustrates a partial interior cutaway view of the exemplaryembodiments illustrates in FIGS. 6 and 7 with the shutters in an openposition.

FIG. 9 illustrates part of an alternative embodiment of the inventions.

FIG. 10 illustrates the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 8 with the shuttersclosed.

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment ofthe inventions.

FIG. 12 illustrates an exposed view of certain elements of anotherexemplary embodiment of the inventions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONS

FIG. 1 illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment 10of the inventions poised for placement on a container 12 holding aburning candle 14. In this example, the container 12 is a generallyround candle holder with an open top. The inventions, however, may beused with containers of other shapes, sizes, or characteristics. Acontainer also may be referred to as a jar, a vessel, a holder, alantern, or the like. Also in this example, a candle 14 is the burningelement, but it should not be so limited. A burning element may beincense, fuel, another source, fuel source, or the like.

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate an exemplary embodiment 10 including a base 16,which also may be referred to as a base assembly, a housing, or a frame.In this embodiment, the base 16 is round and sized to cover the open topof the container 12. A base, however, does not have to conform in shapeto the shape of the container. For example, a square base instead of around base 16 may have been used with the container 12 so long as thesquare base covers the open top of the container 12 so as to extinguishthe flame within the container when the openable elements of the baseare closed. Further, a base may be made of a material different from thecontainer 12. Generally, the base may be made of a non-flammablematerial or other material substantially resistant to burning.

Further, the exemplary base 16 in FIGS. 1-3 is relatively flat comparedto the container 12, but that is not necessarily the case. For example,a base may have legs or sides that may or may not be supportive of thebase with respect to its position on the container.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the exemplary base 16 includes shutters 18 a-ncovering an opening 20 in the base 16. A shutter also may be referred toherein as an openable element. FIG. 1 illustrates the shutters 18 a-n inat least a partially open position so that when the base 16 ispositioned on or over the top of the container 12, the shutters allowair into the container 12 to allow the candle 14 to burn. FIGS. 2 and 3illustrate the shutters 18 a-n in a substantially closed position thatdenies the entry of sufficient air into the container 12 to, allow thecandle to bum, thereby extinguishing the flame on the candle 14 as shownin FIG. 3. The shutters 18 a-n may be made of the same material as thebase 16, but that does not have to be the case. Generally, like thebase, the shutters are made of a material that is non-flammable orsubstantially resistant to burning.

In an example of an embodiment of the inventions, the shutters may beconstructed (or include elements) to allow them to be manually openedand closed by a user. Alternative ways to open and/or close the shutters(or other openable elements of the base) are described below withreference to the other figures.

The exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3 also includes a timer 22 setin the outer rim of the base 16. A timer also may be referred to as aclock. The exemplary timer 22 allows a user to select a period of timefor allowing the shutters 18 a-n of the base 16 to remain open, therebyallowing a candle to continue to burn during that time. In particular, auser may use a time indicator 24 to set the timer 22 for a preselectedperiod of time. The illustrated timer 22 includes four timer marks 26a-d corresponding respectively to time periods of 1 hour, 3 hours, 6hours, and 9 hours for allowing the shutters to remain open. A timermark also may be referred to as a time mark, a mark, or a setting. Theexemplary timer 22 also may be set for time periods between these timermarks 26 a-26 d. As illustrated, time indicator 24 is set at timer mark26 b indicating 3 hours of burn time for the candle 14. In other words,after 3 hours, the shutters 18 a-n are closed to cover the opening 20 inthe base 16, thereby denying more air into the container 12 so that thecandle 14 is snuffed out after its use of the remaining air in thecontainer 12 as shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of an exemplary embodiment 30 on acontainer 32 including a burning element 34. The element 34 continues toburn because the openable elements 36 a-b of the base 40 are open or areuncovering the opening 42 in the base 40.

The exemplary base 40 may be characterized as a cap that fits theopen-topped container 32 with the base 40 including a top 41, an opening42 in the top, and a circumferential side 43. The opening 42 in the top41 of the base 40 may be substantially covered by the shutters 36 a-bwhen the shutters 36 a-b are closed and may be uncovered when theshutters 36 a-b are at least partially open. In this example, there isonly one opening 42 in the base 40; alternative embodiments may haveadditional openings with shutters or other openable elements. Also inthis example, the opening 42 is generally rectangular, but that does nothave to be the case. The opening 20 in the embodiment described abovewith reference to FIGS. 1-3 is substantially round. An opening oropenings in a base that include openable elements such as one or moreshutters may have different shapes, sizes, and other characteristicswith respect to each other within an embodiment, with respect to otherelements of an embodiment, and/or with respect to other embodiments.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the embodiment includes only two openableelements or shutters 36 a-b, but the inventions should not be solimited. Other exemplary embodiments may include only a single openableelement or shutter, or more than two such elements such as in theembodiment described above with reference to FIGS. 1-3. Further, thesize, shape, composition and other characteristics of the openableelements or shutters may vary from embodiment to embodiment, from thebase or other elements of a particular embodiment, or even from eachother within an embodiment. The openable elements or shuttersillustrated herein are generally rectangular, but an alternativeembodiment may allow for shutters of other shapes, sizes andcharacteristics. For example, an embodiment may include openableelements that are more like the shutters in a camera lens that close anopening from the outer rim of the opening towards the opening's center.

FIG. 4 also illustrates a release pin 44 that may be used to close theshutters 36 a-b. For example, a user may activate the release pin 44 bydepressing the release pin 44, which in turn, causes the shutters 36 a-bto substantially close and to cause extinguishment of the candle 34 inthe container 32. An alternate embodiment may provide that activatingthe release pin 44 in the same manner (but after a closing release) maycause the shutters 36 a-b to open. In other words, the release pin 44may toggle between closing and opening the shutters 36 a-b. A releasepin also may be referred to herein as a shutter release pin, a pin, abutton, or a closer.

The release pin 44 of the exemplary embodiment is facilitated in itsaction by an action facilitator 45 such as the illustrated spring. Inthis example, pushing the release pin 44 causes the spring 45 tocompress. When the release pin 44 is released, the spring 45 returns toits uncompressed state, thereby returning the release pin 44 to itsinitial position prior to being pushed.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side perspective view of the exemplary embodimentof FIG. 4 with the shutters 36 a-b closed. As illustrated, the effect ofclosing the shutters 36 a-b is that the candle 34 is extinguished.

The inventions contemplate at least three types of actions that maybring about the closing of the shutters. First, a user may take directaction to close the shutters such as by the activation of the releasepin 44 in the exemplary embodiment described above, by acting on theshutters themselves so they close, or otherwise. A second type of actionthat may bring about the closing of the shutters is the expiration of atimer or clock (as described below) that results in the shutters beingclosed. A third type of action that may bring about a closing of theshutters is a jarring or other unsettling of the container with thecandle and/or an embodiment of the inventions. For example, an exemplaryembodiment may include a feature that detects any jarring type action tothe container and causes the shutters to close in response thereto.Embodiments of the inventions may include features or elements thatbring about the closing of the shutters in response to one, acombination, all or even none of the types of actions mentioned.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side perspective view of the exemplary embodimentof FIG. 4 with the shutters 36 a-b open and with a timer 50.Advantageously, a user may implement the exemplary embodiment to snuffout the candle 34 after a selected period of time. FIG. 6 illustratesthat the side 43 of the base 40 may include a time indicator 52 as usedwith timer marks 54 a-g. In this example, the timer may be set for up to6 hours as indicated by timer mark “6” 54 g. As time passes, the timeindicator 52 moves with respect to the timer marks 54 a-g to indicatethe time remaining until the shutters 36 a-b are closed, and the candle34 is extinguished. As illustrated in FIG. 6, approximately 1.5 hoursremain until the shutters 36 a-b of the exemplary embodiment 30 aresubstantially closed.

Another way of marking an exemplary embodiment of the inventions fortime would be to mark how much time has passed since setting the timer.In this alternative, the time indicator may be set at “0” and the timeindicator progresses with respect to the timer marks to indicate howmuch time the shutters have been open. The embodiment of FIG. 6 alsoprovides the information of how much time the shutters have been open,if the user (or other observer) knows or remembers the initial timesetting. In other words, a user could determine that the shutters 36 a-bhad been open about 4.5 hours in the example illustrated in FIG. 6, ifthe user knew or remembered that the original setting was for 6 hours,and the user could determine that 1.5 hours remain.

FIG. 7 illustrates yet another alternative for providing a timeindicator and timer marks on an exemplary embodiment of the inventions.In this example, the time indicator 56 may be fixed with respect to thebase and a timer dial 58 with timer marks 59 a-n may be provided. Thetimer dial 58 may be used to set the time period for keeping theshutters open, and as time passes, the timer dial 58 may turn to reflecteither the time left for the shutters to be open or the time theshutters have been open (or both in some cases). This exampleillustrates the time indicator 56 and the timer dial 58 with the timermarks 59 a-n as being positioned on the side of the base of thealternative embodiment. The time indicator 56 and/or the timer dial 58with the timer marks 59 a-n may be otherwise positioned. Moreover, thetimer marks 59 a-n do not necessarily have to be positioned on the timerdial 58.

The above examples of the time indicator and timer marks are of amechanical nature. For example, a timer comparable to kitchen timer maybe used with an embodiment of the inventions. Those skilled in the artwill understand that an electronic timer including a digital or otherdisplay may be used. Whether mechanical or digital, the mechanismoperating the timer may be internal or external to the exemplaryapparatus, and/or may be a part of a particular element such as the baseof the exemplary apparatus.

Further, the above examples illustrate that a user may select a periodor period of time from a plurality with respect to the duration theshutters remain open on the exemplary embodiment. An alternativeembodiment may not allow a user to choose from a plurality of timerperiods, but may include a timer that times only a predetermined timeperiod. In that case, the alternative embodiment may or may not includea time indicator and/or timer marks.

Additional information about the timer is provided below in connectionwith the description of an exemplary operation of closing the shuttersof an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates a partial interior representative view of theexemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 with the shutters 36a-b in an open position. The interior view reveals a shutter operator 60including an arm 62 connected at different points 64 a-b respectively tothe shutters 36 a-b. In particular, in this example, one end 65 of thearm 62 is connected by an eyelet 64 b or otherwise to the last shutter36 b on one side of the opening 42 in the base 40. The end 65 of the arm62 is connected to the shutter 36 b so that the shutter 36 b may beopened and closed with the movement of the arm 62.

At a distance from the end 65 of the arm 62, the arm 62 assumessomething like a backwards sideways “S” shape 67 comparable to a cycleof a sine wave or also a shape that may be characterized as an inverted“U” followed by a “U” (reading left to right) and having a common leg.The distance of the “S” shape 67 from the end 65 of the arm 62 as wellas the relative size and specific shape of the “S” shaped part 67 of thearm 62 may depend on the size of the shutters 36 a-b, as well as otherelements of the exemplary embodiment.

As noted, the “S” shaped part 67 of the arm includes an inverted U. Aneyelet 64 a or other connector makes its connection between the shutter36 a and the arm 62 at the top of the inverted U part of the “S” shape67 of the arm 62. The inverted U part of the “S” shape 67 of the arm 62keeps the connector 64 a substantially in a relative position at the topof the inverted U of the “S” shape 67 of the arm 62 as the arm 62 movesfrom its unlocked to locked position and vice versa. The connector 64 amakes its connection between the shutter 36 a and the arm 62 so that theshutter 36 a may be opened and closed with the movement of the arm 62.Moreover, the opening and closing of the shutter 36 a is synchronouswith that of the shutter 36 b as brought about by the connections 64 a-bbetween the shutters 36 a-b and the movement of the arm 62. In otherwords, the shutters 36 a-b close at substantially the same time.

The illustrated embodiment only includes two shutters 36 a-b to coverthe opening 42 in the base 40. If more shutters are used in anembodiment, additional “S” shaped parts of the arm 62 may be included aswell as additional connectors.

Advantageously, the arm 62 may be locked into a shutter open position asillustrated in FIG. 8. The arm 62 includes an upturned end 66 that maybe caught by another element such as the bar 68 attached to the insideof the base 40. The bar 68 and/or the upturned end 66 also may bereferred to as a holder, an arm lock, an actuator arm lock, a shutterlock, or an shutter actuator arm lock. In this embodiment, the bar 68 isheld out from the inside wall of the base 40 by a bracket 69. The bar 68is held out sufficiently from the inside wall by the bracket 69 so thatthe upturned end 66 of the arm 62 may be moved into and out of the catchof the bar, and the arm 62 may be locked and unlocked.

As is described more particularly below, the bar 68 holds the upturnedend 66 of the arm 62 against the return action of a closing facilitatorsuch as spring 72. Spring 72 is extended when the arm 62 is in itslocked position, but the spring 72 strives to return to its staticposition. When the arm 62 is unlocked, the spring 72 pulls the arm 62 toits unlocked position, thereby closing the shutters 36 a-b.

The shutter operator 60 also includes a closer 70 to cause unlocking ofthe arm 62 and allowing it to return to a shutter closed position. Inthis example, the closer 70 is connected to or may be made integral withthe release pin 44 so that activation of the release pin 44 causes thecloser 70 to cause the unlocking of the arm 62, thereby causing closingof the shutters 36 a-b. In particular, the exemplary closer 70 includesa hook 72 that is positioned above the arm 62. When the closer 70 isactivated, the hook 72 exerts a downward force on the arm 62. As the arm62 moves downward, its upturned end 66 escapes the hold of the bar 68.With the release of its upturned end 66, the arm 62 moves towards ashutter closed position. The upturned end 66 of the arm 62 avoids beingcaught by the hook 72 of the closer 70 as the arm 62 moves towards itsunlocked position. The upturned end 66 avoids the hook 72 because thehook 72 is retracted to its original position by an action facilitatorsuch as spring 45 operating with the release pin 44 and closer 70 inthis example. The action facilitator 45 causes the hook 72 of the closer70 connected to the release pin 44 to move to a position that does notcatch the upturned end 66 during the arm's movement.

The exemplary embodiment in FIG. 8 includes a closing facilitator 72 tofacilitate the movement of the unlocked arm 62 to its unlocked position,thereby facilitating closing of the shutters 36 a-b. In particular, inthis example, the closing facilitator 72 is a spring attached at one end74 to arm 62 and at its other end 76 to the interior of the base 40 oran element thereof. In particular, the spring 72 is attached at thebottom of the “U” shaped part of the “S” shaped part 67 of the arm 632.

When the arm 62 is locked, the spring 72 is extended. When the arm 62 isunlocked, the spring 72 moves towards its resting position, therebymoving the arm 62 to its unlocked position. The exemplary embodimentuses a spring as a closing facilitator, but the use of other elementswith the spring or in substitution thereof will be occur to thoseskilled in the art. Moreover, other embodiments may not include aclosing facilitator.

FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative embodiment 80 (in partial form) of theinventions that does not include a closing facilitator. Like theembodiment in the previous examples, the embodiment 80 includes an arm82 having respective connections 84 a-b such as eyelets to shutters 86a-b. In this alternative, the shutters 86 a-b are offset slightly to thevertical with the upper half of the shutters making less than a 90degree angle with respect to the top of the base when the shutters areopen. When the arm 82 moves in the direction of shutter offset, theshutters 86 a-b fall closed. The shutters 86 a-b may be made slightlytop heavy to facilitate this type of closing.

FIG. 10 illustrates the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 8, but with the arm62 in the unlocked position with the shutters 36 a-b substantiallyclosed. As can be seen from the illustration, the unlocked arm 62 hasbeen released from the catch of the bar 68, and has moved in thedirection of the contraction of the spring 72 so as to substantiallyclose the shutters 36 a-b.

FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the inventions 90 thatshares some common features with the embodiment described in connectionwith FIGS. 4-6, 8 and 10. The common features include a base 40 havingshutters 36 a-b and a release pin 44 positioned in the top 41 of thebase 40. The alternative embodiment 90 also includes the interiorelements described above in connection with the referenced figuresincluding a shutter operator connected to the shutters, a closer, and aclosing facilitator.

Further, the alternative embodiment 90 includes a timer 92 similar tothe timer 50 described with reference to FIG. 6. The timer 92 in thealternative embodiment 90, however, cooperates with an activation plate94 disposed in a rotatable top 96 that may fit over or otherwisecooperate with the base 30. The top 96 may be made of the samematerial(s) as the base 30, or be made wholly or in part from othersuitable materials such as flame-proof materials. The top 96 may be madeto rotate with a timer/gearing assembly positioned wholly or in partwithin the exemplary embodiment or elements thereof, or outside of it.

In particular, the top 96 may be rotated by a user to select a period oftime as indicated on the timer 92 for allowing the shutters 36 a-b toremain open. In the example illustrated in FIG. 11, the top 96 may havebeen rotated so that time indicator 98 shows that the shutters 36 a-bare to close after about 2.5 hours. As the time passes, the top 96rotates so that the time indicator 98 points to the period of timeremaining. Timer marks 100 a-f may be disposed on the side of the base40 with an opening 102 in the top 96 so that the timer marks 100 a-fappear through the opening 102, or the timer marks 100 a-f may beotherwise provided. The time indicator 98 may be provided on the top 96as pointing into the opening 102 of the top 96, or otherwise provided.

As noted, the top 96 of the alternative embodiment 90 includes anactivation plate 94 that is generally positioned above and parallel tothe horizontal top 41 of the base 40. As the timer 92 ticks down, andthe top 96 rotates, the activation plate 94 moves towards the releasepin 44. When the timer 92 reaches zero, the activation plate 94 coversthe release pin 44 or otherwise causes the release pin to activate,thereby causing the shutters 36 a-b to close as described in connectionwith previous embodiments.

In the alternative embodiment 90, the activation plate is shaped like asubstantially flat triangle with an apex 104 pointing towards the centerof the top 41 of the base 40, and with the triangle's base 106 beingcongruent more or less with the rim 108 of the top 96. Otherconfigurations of an activation plate may be used. The activation platemay be integral with the top, or a separate element made of the samematerial(s) or wholly or in part from a different material(s).

Advantageously, the alternative embodiment 90 allows a user to close theshutters 36 a-b without regard to the time remaining, if any time periodhas been set. The user may activate the release pin 44 such as bydepressing it to cause the shutters 36 a-b to close.

FIG. 12 is an exposed view of certain elements of another exemplaryembodiment 110 of the inventions and includes an opener 112. Like itsname implies, opener 112 serves to open the shutters 114 a-b. In thisembodiment 110, the opener 112 is disposed on the inside wall 116 of arotatable top 118 operating with a base having elements such asdescribed above. The opener 112 is a generally flat triangle set in asubstantially perpendicular relationship with respect to the inside wall116 of the top 118. The base of the triangle is set against, within, ordefined by the inside wall 116. The apex of the triangle points towardsthe center. Further, the opener 112 is positioned with respect to thearm 120 connected to the shutters 114 a-b so as to cause the arm 120 tomove from its unlocked position to a locked position, if the top 118,and thereby the opener 112, is rotated appropriately.

Particularly, the apex of the opener 112 may be positioned with respectto arm 120 such that the apex fits at least slightly into the opening122 of the inverted “U” part of the arm 120. When the top 118 rotates,the opener 112 presses against the arm 120 causing it to move away fromits unlocked position, move under the release 124, and into a lockedposition with the bar 126. As the arm 120 moves away from its unlockedposition, the shutters 114 a-b open in response.

Advantageously, the opener 112 may be made to work with a timer so thatthe action of opening the shutters also may also encompass the settingof the timer for a selected period. For example, a certain minimalrotation of the top 118 may cause the shutters to open through theaction of the opener 112 on the arm 120, but may not necessarily start atimer. If the rotation of the top 118 is continued past a certainminimum, the effect may be the setting of a timer (either for a selectedtime from a plurality of times or for the time allowed, if a pluralityof time period are unavailable).

The inventions have been described by reference to exemplaryembodiments, but many additions, modifications, and/or deletions can bemade thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of theinventions. In other words, the particular embodiments of the inventionsdescribed herein are merely illustrative and are not the onlyembodiments possible. Those skilled in the art can readily identifyadditional embodiments and features of the inventions that are withinthe spirit and scope of the inventions.

1. An apparatus for snuffing a candle in a container after a period,comprising: a base covering an open part of the container, the baseincluding at least a shutter for substantially covering an opening inthe base, the base including a shutter operator for causing the shutterto substantially cover the base opening; the shutter operator includingan arm connected to the shutter, the arm preventing the shutter fromcovering the base opening when the arm is locked, and the arm causingthe shutter to substantially cover the base opening when the arm isunlocked, and the shutter operator including a closer for unlocking ofthe arm, thereby causing the shutter to substantially cover the baseopening; a timer for timing a period; and an activation plate thatresponds to expiration of the period by activating the closer to unlockthe arm, whereby the timer may be set to time the period upon whoseexpiration the activation plate activates the closer of the shutteroperator to unlock the arm, thereby causing the shutter to substantiallycover the base opening and causing the snuffing of the candle in thecontainer.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shutter operatorcomprises a closing facilitator to facilitate moving the arm when it isunlocked to facilitate closing of the shutter.
 3. The apparatus of claim2, wherein the closing facilitator comprises a spring.
 4. The apparatusof claim 1, further comprising an opener for opening the shutter.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 4, wherein the opener is operative to open theshutter by moving the arm into a locked position.
 6. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the timer is operative to time the period as a selectedperiod from one of a plurality of periods.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6further comprising a time indicator for setting the selected period. 8.The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the base comprises a plurality oftimer marks corresponding respectively to the plurality of periods; andwherein the time indicator is operative to move with respect to theplurality of timer marks to indicate an amount of time with respect tothe selected period.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the closer isoperative to unlock the arm in response to an unlock action other thanthe activation by the activation plate.
 10. An apparatus allowing forselective extinguishment of a burning element in a vessel, comprising: ahousing having an opening; at least a shutter disposed to substantiallyclose the opening in the housing; and a release operative to cause theshutter to close, whereby activating the release causes the shutter tosubstantially close the opening in the housing thereby extinguishing theburning of the element in the vessel.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10,wherein the release comprises: an actuator connected to the shutter; anda release pin operative in response to activation to cause the actuatorto cause the shutter to close.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, whereinthe actuator comprises: an actuator arm connected to the shutter; aholder to hold the actuator arm so that the actuator arm causes theshutter to be at least partially open; and the actuator arm beingoperative to release itself from the holder in response to the causationof the release pin, whereby the release of the actuator arm from theholder causes the actuator arm to cause the shutter to close.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 12, wherein the actuator comprises: a closingfacilitator connected to the housing and to the actuator arm, andresponsive to the release of the actuator arm from the holder tofacilitate the actuator arm in causing the shutter to close.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 10, further comprising: a timer for timing a periodof time, and the release being responsive to expiration of the period oftime to cause the shutter to close, whereby setting the timer for theperiod of time causes the release to cause the shutter after theexpiration of the period of time.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, furthercomprising an activation plate responsive to the expiration of theperiod of time to activate the release pin to cause the actuator tocause the shutter to close.
 16. An apparatus for extinguishing a burningfuel source in a holder after a selectable period of time, comprising:shutters in a frame with the frame being sized to fit the holder so asto substantially block air entering the holder when the shutters aresubstantially closed in the frame; a timer for timing a selectableperiod of time; and a mechanism for substantially closing the shuttersin response to expiration of the selectable period of time, therebycausing the extinguishing of the burning fuel source.
 17. The apparatusof claim 16, wherein the timer comprises settings for a respectiveplurality of periods of time; and wherein the timer responds to aselection of a setting for a period of time by timing the period of timecorresponding to the selected setting as the selectable period of time.18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the mechanism for substantiallyclosing the shutters is operative to close the shutters without regardto the expiration of the selectable period of time.
 19. The apparatus ofclaim 16, wherein the mechanism for substantially closing the shuttersis operative to open the shutters if they are closed.